Mars Canada Invests $180M In Ontario Facilities

The investment focuses on three packing line transformations at Mars facilities and introduces safety equipment systems and sustainability improvements.

Mars, Incorporated, the maker of iconic snacking, food, and pet brands, including MARS Bars®, is announcing the completion of a $180 million capital expenditure investment. (CNW Group/Mars, Incorporated) (CNW Group/Mars, Incorporated)

BOLTON — Mars, Incorporated, a snacking, food, and pet brands company that includes MARS® Bars, MALTESERS®, TEMPTATIONS™, Ben’s Original™ and ROYAL CANIN®, announced the completion of a $180 million investment to accelerate manufacturing and workplace modernization across its four Ontario facilities on Mar. 18.

This investment brings its total investment in Canadian operations to nearly $400 million since 2015.

“Rooted in more than a century of Canadian history, this investment represents both the future of our industry and our unwavering commitment to the Canadian market and economy,” said Ellen Thompson, General Manager, Mars Snacking Canada. “For generations, Mars has been proud to make, invest, and grow in Canada. These upgrades reflect our continued focus on advancing innovation, sustainability, and workplace modernization, ensuring our business continues to thrive and contribute to Canada’s economic vitality for years to come.”

Per a Mar. 18 press release, more than $100 million of the investment focuses on three packing line transformations at Mars facilities, strengthening long-term performance, boosting reliability, and increasing production capacity to produce new formats.

Across Mars Snacking, Pet Nutrition, Food & Nutrition, and Royal Canin, the investment reportedly also introduces safety equipment systems and sustainability improvements designed to advance operational and environmental performance.

Mars Pet Nutrition (Bolton) – Investing $86 million to enhance manufacturing capabilities and sustainable operations, resulting in a 50 per cent increase in production capacity of TEMPTATIONS™ care and treat operations, a 15 per cent reduction in the site’s water use, and 13 per cent reduction in the site’s gas and hydro consumption.

Mars Snacking (Newmarket) – Investing $40 million in packaging line upgrades responsible for producing MARS® Bars, 3 MUSKATEERS®, MILKY WAY® Standard and MILKY ® WAY Midnight. The upgrades delivered a 25 per cent increase in overall production capacity, a 40 per cent reduction in the filled bar line’s electricity usage, and a 75 per cent reduction in the line’s compressed air consumption. Annual energy savings from the transformation are reportedly roughly 440,487 kilowatt hours per year.

Mars Food & Nutrition (Bolton) – Investing $17 million to enhance production lines for Ben’s Original™ and other brands in the Food & Nutrition portfolio, increasing capacity by 8 per cent and reducing the site’s energy usage by 93 kilowatt hours per day.

Royal Canin, a Mars Company (Guelph) – Investing $39 million to modernize operations and strengthen manufacturing capabilities across the facility, resulting in a 12 per cent increase in production capacity, a 12 per cent reduction in the site’s thermal energy use, and an 11 per cent reduction in electrical energy use.

Mars employs 1,800 associates in Bolton, Newmarket and Guelph.

Source: www.canadianmanufacturing.com